Brassiere with modesty element

ABSTRACT

A brassiere apparatus is disclosed for supporting a user&#39;s breasts, the user having an upper torso. The brassiere apparatus can include a support strap and a pair of breast cups connected to the support strap, the breast cups oriented on the support strap to receive respective breasts of the user when the support strap is secured around the user&#39;s upper torso. Each breast cup can include an outer layer having an outer perimeter, an inner layer, and a modesty element positioned between the outer and inner layers and positioned to form an annular gap between the modesty element and the outer perimeter of the outer layer. The modesty element can be positioned on the breast cup to cover an apex of a user&#39;s breast when the brassiere apparatus is worn by a user.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/676,351 filed May 25, 2018 entitled BRASSIERE WITH MODESTY ELEMENT, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to a brassiere or a bra for supporting and covering a woman's breasts.

More particularly, brassieres are meant to provide support as well as coverage for the wearer. Brassieres with breast cups that are too thin may not provide adequate coverage or modesty when light weight or tight fitting clothes are worn over the brassiere. As such, brassieres that are too thin may provide adequate support, but may not provide a relatively smooth outer appearance or contour when worn with light weight or tight fitting clothing.

To provide additional coverage and modesty, many brassieres include cups having thick pads which can provide a smooth outer contour over the wearer's breast. Such padded cups can also be designed to produce and/or add bulk to create the appearance of a larger or fuller bust line for the wearer. However, for women that do not need extra bulk in their brassieres, the user faces the choice of either adding unnecessary bulk with a thick padding in order to get adequate protection and coverage particularly for an apex of the breast, or sacrificing modesty and coverage with a thinner bra.

What is needed then are improvements in women's brassieres.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This Brief Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

One aspect of the disclosure is a brassiere apparatus for supporting a user's breasts, the user having an upper torso, the brassiere apparatus including a support strap. A pair of breast cups can be connected to the support strap, the breast cups oriented on the support strap to receive respective breasts of the user when the support strap is secured around the user's upper torso. Each breast cup can include an outer layer having an outer perimeter, an inner layer coupled to the outer layer, and a modesty element positioned between the outer and inner layers and positioned to form an annular gap between the modesty element and the outer perimeter of the outer layer.

In some embodiments, the outer and inner layers can be made from a thin fabric material, or another suitable flexible material, and the modesty element can be made of foam. The modesty elements can be positioned on respective breast cups such that as the brassiere is worn by the user, the modesty elements can be positioned over or can cover respective apexes of a user's breasts. As such, the breast cup can generally be made from a thinner material, with the modesty element providing additional coverage and discretion over the apex of the user's breast, the apex when inadequately covered or protected having a tendency to show through clothing. The brassiere of the present disclosure can thus help provide coverage and modesty for a woman's breast while helping to reduce the amount of excess bulk and padding in the breast cup of the brassiere.

In some embodiments, the brassiere apparatus can include a middle layer positioned between the outer layer and the inner layer. The modesty element can be positioned on or integrated into the middle layer. The modesty element can have a thickness that is greater than the thickness of the rest of the middle layer. The outer layer, middle layer, and the inner layer can be coupled together along the outer perimeter of the outer layer, such that a smooth outer and inner surface are produced for the breast cups of the brassiere apparatus with minimal interior stitching or adhesives in the breast cups.

Numerous other objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon a review of the following drawings and description of a preferred embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a brassiere apparatus of the present disclosure showing breast cups having a generally smooth outer contour.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of another embodiment of a brassier apparatus of the present disclosure showing the positioning of modesty elements on breast cups of the brassiere apparatus.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a breast cup of the brassiere apparatus of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross section view of the brassier apparatus of FIG. 2 being placed over a user's breast with the modesty element positioned over the apex of the user's breast.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment of a brassiere apparatus of the present disclosure having an edge padding included on the breast cup, the edge padding extending proximate an outer perimeter of an outer layer of the breast cup.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a breast cup of the brassiere apparatus of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partial exploded view of another embodiment of a brassiere apparatus of the present disclosure with breasts cups having an outer layer, and inner layer, and middle layer including a modesty element to cover an apex of a user's breast.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the middle layer of a breast cup of the brassiere apparatus of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a breast cup of the brassiere apparatus of FIG. 7 positioned over a user's breast.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of another embodiment of a breast cup of a brassier apparatus of the present disclosure having an inner layer that is smaller than an outer layer of the breast cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that are embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific apparatus and methods described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims.

In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each drawing, for the sake of clarity. In addition, positional terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “top,” “bottom,” etc. refer to the apparatus when in the orientation shown in the drawing. A person of skill in the art will recognize that the apparatus can assume different orientations when in use.

Various embodiments of a brassiere apparatus 10 of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 1-10. The brassiere apparatus 10 can be worn by a user having breasts 12, each breast 12 having an apex 14, or nipple. The brassiere apparatus 10 can be worn to help support and shape the breasts 12 of the user.

The brassiere apparatus 10 can include a support strap 18 which can be received about a user's upper torso 16. In some embodiments, the support strap 18 can be positioned beneath the user's breast 12 when the brassiere apparatus 10 is worn. In other embodiments, the support strap 18 can extend from a lateral side of breast cups 22 positioned to receive the user's breasts 12 when the brassiere apparatus 10 is worn by a user and the support strap 18 is secured about the user's upper torso. The support strap 18 can provide support for carrying and/or distributing the weight of the user's breasts 12 to the user's upper torso. The support strap 18 in some embodiments can be an elastic strap to help provide comfort for the user. The support strap 18 can also be made from a relatively soft material such as fabric, including but not limited to cotton, nylon, satin, linen, spandex, latex, lace, etc., which can provide a soft and comfortable feel against the user's body. In some embodiments, the support strap 18 can include underwire running through the support strap 18, or a rigid material such as metal, plastic, or composite, which can help provide support beneath the user's breast 12. In other embodiments, such underwire for supporting the breasts of the user can be including in the breast cups 22.

In some embodiments, the support strap 18 can be an elastic, continuous strap that can be coupled to the breast cups 22 and pulled up from the feet of the user or over the user's head to position the support strap 18 beneath or adjacent to the user's breasts 12. In other embodiments, the support strap 18 can include multiple strap pieces with a clasp element on the ends of each strap piece such that the strap pieces can be coupled together and removed from one another via the clasp elements. In some embodiments, the clasp elements can be configured to couple to one another in front of the user or behind the user.

In some embodiments, shoulder straps 20 can extend from the support strap 18 and/or the breast cups 22 and can be positioned over a user's shoulders when the brassiere apparatus 10 is worn by the user. The shoulder straps 20 can help transfer the weight of the user's breast 12 to the user's shoulders which can help alleviate stress on the user's back, neck, and spine. In other embodiments, the brassiere apparatus 10 can be a “strapless” brassiere apparatus 10 without shoulder straps 20.

The brassiere apparatus 10 can include a pair of breast cups 22 connected to the support strap 18. The breast cups 22 can be positioned on the support strap 18 such that when the brassiere apparatus 10 is worn about the user's upper torso 16, the user's breasts 12 can be received in respective breast cups 22. For example, a user's left breast can be received in a left breast cup 22 a and the user's right breast can be received in right breast cup 22 b of the brassiere apparatus 10. The breast cups 22 can have a concave inner shape, or be able to form a concave inner shape, to conform to the convex and/or rounded shape of the user's breast when the user's breasts 12 are received in the breast cups 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-4, each breast cup 22 can generally include at least an outer layer 24 made from thin flexible material, such as fabric, which can form the outer shape of the breast cup 22 and substantially span the breast cup 22. The outer layer 24 can have an outer perimeter 26 defined along the edges of the breast cup 22. The breast cup 22 can also include a modesty element 28 positioned on an inner side of the outer layer 24. The modesty element 28 can generally be positioned in a central portion of the breast cup 22 and the outer layer 24 such that an annular gap 31 is formed around the modesty element 28 between the modesty element 28 and the outer perimeter 26 of the outer layer 24.

When the brassiere apparatus 10 is worn by a user, and the user's breast is received in a breast cup 22, the modesty element 28 can be positioned over the apex 14 of the user's breast 12 such that the modesty element 28 can provide extra coverage and contour for the apex 14 of the breast 12. The modesty element 28 can help prevent the apex 14 of the user's breast 12 from showing through the brassiere apparatus 10 or through clothes or outerwear worn over the brassiere apparatus 10. However, because the modesty element 28 only spans across a portion of the breast cup 22 associated with the apex 14 of the user's breast 12, excess bulk associated with full breast cup padding can be reduced while adequate coverage and modesty can be provided over the apex 14 of the user's breast 12 by the modesty element 28.

In some embodiments, the modesty element 28 can be a relatively planar piece of material that can flex around the apex 14 of the user's breast when the brassiere apparatus 10 is worn. In other embodiments, an inner side of the modesty element 28 can be concave such that the apex 14 of the user's breast can be received within the concave inner side of the modesty element 28. In some embodiments, the modesty element 28 can have a varying thickness, the modesty element 28 gradually increasing in thickness from a peripheral edge 36 of the modesty element 28 to a center 38 of the modesty element 28, as shown in FIGS. 7-10. The thicker center 38 of the modesty element 28 can be associated with the position of the apex 14 of the user's breast 12. Thinner peripheral edges 36 on the modesty element 28 can produce a smoother transition between the user's breast 12 and the modesty element 28 as the modesty element 28 is positioned against the user's breast 12, while the thicker central portion can help provide adequate coverage and modesty for the apex 14 of the user's breast 12.

The modesty element 28 can be secured to the outer layer 24 using a variety of suitable securement mechanisms. In some embodiments, the modesty element 28 can be sewn onto the outer layer 24. In other embodiments, the modesty element 28 can be adhered onto the outer layer 24. Any other suitable securing means can be utilized to secure the modesty panel to the outer layer 24. The modesty element 28 in some embodiments can be made from a semi-soft and flexible material, such as foam or sponge material, which can deform to contour the apex 14 and the breast 12 of the user as the apex 14 and breast 12 of the user are received against the modesty element 28. In some embodiments, the modesty element 28 can have a central thickness associated with the apex 14 of the user's breast 12, the central thickness ranging from 0.05 inches to 1 inch. In other embodiments, the central thickness of the modesty element 28 can range from 0.1 inches to 0.5 inches. The increased thickness of the breast cup 22 at the modesty element 28 can help cover the apex 14 of the breast 12 and help provide a relatively smooth outer appearance of the breast cup 22 of the brassiere apparatus 10 when the brassiere apparatus 10 is worn by a user.

The outer layer 24 can be made from a thin, flexible material such as fabric, including but not limited to cotton, linen, microfiber, satin, polyester, lace, mesh, spandex, latex, etc., which can be flexible yet strong enough to support the weight of a user's breast 12 when received in the breast cup 22. The thinness of the outer layer 24 can help reduce bulk associated with full coverage breast pads, while the modesty element 28 centralized on the apex 14 of the breast 12 can help provide sufficient protection and coverage for the apex 14 of the breast 12 to help provide a smooth outer contour for the breast cup 22 when worn by the user, and thus a smooth outer contour of a garment worn over the brassiere apparatus 10.

When the brassiere apparatus 10 is worn, the outer layer 24 can be placed in tension by a shoulder strap connected to an upper edge of the breast cup 22 and the support strap 18 connected to the lower edge of the breast cup 22 such that the breast cup 22 and the outer layer 24 can maintain their shape when a breast is received in the breast cup 22. In a strapless brassiere apparatus without shoulder straps, the breast cups 22 can include rigid peripheral edge rims which the outer layer 24 can be connected to and span across, the rigid peripheral edge rims maintaining the outer perimeter of the breast cups 22 and providing tension to the outer layer 24 when the user's breast 12 is received in the breast cup 22 and supported by the outer layer 24.

In some embodiments, the brassiere apparatus 10 can include an inner layer 32, the inner layer 32 having an outer perimeter 34. The outer and inner layers 24 and 32 can be coupled together along the outer perimeters 26 and 34 of the outer and inner layers 24 and 32 respectively, effectively forming a pocket between the outer and inner layers 24 and 32. In some embodiments, peripheral edge rim pieces can be sewn over the perimeters 26 and 34 of the outer and inner layers 24 and 32 to provide a uniform and clean edge along the outer perimeter of the breast cups 22. The modesty element 28 can be positioned between the outer and inner layers 24 and 32 such that the annular gap 30 is formed around the modesty element 28 and between the modesty element 28 and the outer perimeters 26 and 34 of the outer and inner layers 24 and 32 respectively. Having an inner layer 32 positioned over the modesty element 28 and between the modesty element 28 and the user's breast 12 when the brassiere apparatus 10 is worn can help provide a smooth contour on an inner side of the breast cup 22 against which the user's breast is received. The smooth inner contour of the breast cup 22 can help provide comfort to the user and reduce rubbing, chaffing, or other irritations on the user's apex 14 and breast 12, for instance as the user moves while wearing the brassiere apparatus 10. The outer and inner layers 24 and 32 in some embodiments can be made from any of the flexible fabrics noted herein.

In still other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 10, the inner layer 32 can be smaller than the outer layer 24 such that inner layer 32 is at least partially coupled to the outer layer 24 at a location radially inward from the outer perimeter 26 of the outer layer 24. As such, the modesty element 28 can be covered and concealed by the inner layer 32 to provide a smooth inner contour for the breast cup 22 and also retain the modesty element 24 in a desired location on the breast cup without the modesty element being fastened directly to the outer or inner layers 24 and 32. A smaller inner layer 32 can additionally help reduce excess bulk associated with the breast cup 22.

In some embodiments, the modesty element 28 can be secured to both the outer and inner layers 24 and 32, for instance with stitching sewn through the outer and inner layers 24 and 32 and through the modesty element 28. In other embodiments, the modesty element 28 can be secured to only the inner layer 24, to help remove any visible signs of the modesty element 28 on the outer layer 24 such as stitching or adhesive lines.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-10, in some embodiments, the brassiere apparatus 10 can include a middle layer 40 positioned between the outer layer 24 and the inner layer 32. The modesty element 28 can be positioned on the middle layer 40 such that the modesty element 28 is positioned over the apex 14 of a user's breast 12 when the brassiere apparatus 10 is worn by a user. In some embodiments, the middle layer 40 can include a middle layer outer perimeter 42, and the outer layer 24, the inner layer 32, and the middle layer 40 can all be coupled together along the respective outer perimeters 26, 34, and 42 of each layer. Having the modesty element 28 coupled to the middle layer 40 and the outer layer 24, inner layer 32, and middle layers 40 all coupled along their outer perimeters can help provide a smooth contour on both an outer side and an inner side of the breast cup 22. Any direct connection between the modesty element 28 and either the outer layer 24 or the inner layer 32 can be effectively eliminated. Such an arrangement of the modesty element 28 on the middle layer 40 can provide a smooth outer contour for the breast cup to help increase the outer aesthetic appearance of the breast cup 22 via the smooth outer layer 24, as well as helping provide a smooth interior surface of the breast cup 22 via the inner layer 32 which can help increase the comfort of the breast cup 22 against a user's breast. All stitching or other securing means for securing the modesty element 28 to the breast cup 22 can be contained within the breast cup 22 on the middle layer 40.

In some embodiments, the middle layer 40 can be made of a thin, flexible material similar to that of the outer layer 24 and the inner layer 32, such as one of the fabrics mentioned herein. Having all three layers made from a thin flexible material can help decrease bulk of the breast cup 22 and provide comfort for the user. In some embodiments, the central thickness of the modesty element 28 can be larger than a middle layer thickness of the middle layer 40. In some embodiments, the outer layer 24 can have an outer layer thickness, the inner layer 32 can have an inner layer thickness, and each of the outer layer thickness, the inner layer thickness, and the middle layer thickness can be less than the central thickness of the modesty element 28. In some embodiments, each of the outer layer thickness, the inner layer thickness, and the middle layer thickness can be less than about 0.1 inches. In some embodiments, the combined thicknesses of the outer layer 24, the inner layer 32, and the middle layer 40 can be less than a central thickness of the modesty element 28 and/or less than 0.1 inches.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-6, in some embodiments, supplemental padding may be implemented in the breast cup 22 in addition to the modesty element 28. For instance, in some embodiments, a thin layer of edge padding 44 can be positioned in the breast cup 22 proximate the support strap 18 and/or any underwire in the support strap 18 adjacent to the outer perimeter 26 of the outer layer 24 and extend along a portion of the outer perimeter 26 of the outer layer 24, to provide padding between the support strap 18 and/or underwire and the user's breasts 12 or torso 16, in order to provide additional padding and comfort against the support strap 18 and/or underwire. In some embodiments, the edge padding 44 can be positioned beneath the modesty element 28 and adjacent the outer perimeter 26 of the outer layer 24. The edge padding 44 can however still be spaced from the modesty element 28 such than an annular gap 30 can still be formed between the modesty element 28 and a combination of the outer perimeters 26 and 34 of the outer and/or inner layers 24 and 32 and the edge padding 44. Thus, in some embodiments, additional padding can be strategically placed on the breast cup 22 to provide additional comfort for the user with respect to the support strap 18 and/or underwire while still minimizing the excess bulk associated with a full breast pad.

Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful BRASSIERE WITH MODESTY ELEMENT, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A brassiere apparatus for supporting a user's breasts, the user having an upper torso, the brassiere apparatus comprising: a support strap; and a pair of breast cups connected to the support strap, the breast cups oriented on the support strap to receive respective breasts of the user when the support strap is secured around the user's upper torso, each breast cup including: an outer layer having an outer perimeter; an inner layer; and a modesty element positioned between the outer and inner layers and positioned to form an annular gap between the modesty element and the outer perimeter of the outer layer.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer and inner layers are made of fabric.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the modesty element is made of foam.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user's breasts each include an apex, and the apparatus further comprises the modesty elements being positioned on respective breast cups to cover respective apexes of the user's breasts when the support strap is secured around the user's upper torso and the user's breasts are received in respective breast cups.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the outer layer has an outer layer thickness, the inner layer has an inner layer thickness, and the modesty element has a central thickness measured at a center of the modesty element; and the central thickness of the modesty element is larger than each of the outer layer thickness and the inner layer thickness.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central thickness of the modesty element is at least 0.1 inches and the outer layer thickness and the inner layer thickness are each less than 0.1 inches.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the central thickness of the modesty element is between about 0.1 and 0.5 inches.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer layer and the inner layer are made of a flexible material.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a middle layer secured between the outer layer and the inner layer, the modesty element positioned on the middle layer.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the modesty element has a central thickness measured at a center of the modesty element, the middle layer has a middle layer thickness, and the central thickness is larger than the middle layer thickness.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the middle layer is made from a flexible fabric material.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the outer layer, the middle layer, and the inner layer are all secured together along the outer perimeter of the outer layer.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each breast cup further comprises an edge padding positioned adjacent the outer layer and extending along at least a portion of the outer perimeter of the outer layer, the edge padding being spaced from the modesty element.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the edge padding is positioned beneath the modesty element on the breast cup.
 15. A brassiere apparatus for supporting a user's breasts, each breast having an apex, the user having an upper torso, the brassiere apparatus comprising: a support strap; and a pair of breast cups connected to the support strap, the breast cups oriented on the support strap to receive respective breasts of the user when the support strap is secured around the user's upper torso, each breast cup including: an outer layer having an outer perimeter; an inner layer; and a middle layer positioned between the outer and inner layers, the middle layer including a modesty element positioned on the middle layer to form an annular gap between the modesty element and the outer perimeter of the outer layer, the modesty element positioned to cover the apex of the respective breast of the user when the respective breast of the user is received in the breast cup.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the modesty element has a center and a peripheral edge, and a thickness of the modesty element increases from the peripheral edge to the center of the modesty element.
 17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the modesty element has a curved inner shape configured to contour the respective breast of the user.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the outer layer, the inner layer, and the middle layer each have a thickness of less than 0.1 inches.
 19. A brassiere apparatus for supporting a user's breasts, each breast having an apex, the user having an upper torso, the brassiere apparatus comprising: a support strap; and a pair of breast cups connected to the support strap, the breast cups oriented on the support strap to receive respective breasts of the user when the support strap is secured around the user's upper torso, each breast cup including: an outer layer having an outer perimeter; an inner layer; and a modesty element positioned between the outer layer and the inner layer and forming an annular gap between the modesty element and the outer perimeter of the outer layer, the modesty element positioned to cover the apex of the respective breast of the user when the respective breast of the user is received in the breast cup, wherein the modesty panel has a center and a peripheral edge, and a thickness of the modesty panel gradually increases from the peripheral edge to the center of the modesty panel.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the thickness of the modesty panel at the center of the modesty panel is larger than a thickness of the outer layer and larger than a thickness of the inner layer. 